Let’s face it: Dating is daunting. And when you’re a Boomer, it may seem next to impossible. You might be coming out of a long-term marriage, or emerging from a period of time where you were consumed with raising children or caring for elderly parents — or, perhaps you still are responsible for children and/parents. Have your “dating muscles” atrophied? You might feel like you don’t have the slightest idea how to go about flirting, meeting the opposite sex, much less handling issues of sexually transmitted diseases. You might feel like your body is old or unattractive. Disrobing in front of a romantic partner? Definitely not.

Plus, today’s dating world doesn’t remotely resemble the one you knew. How proactive are women supposed to be? Is the third-date rule (for having sex) still in effect? Just how do you handle an HIV discussion? Is online dating reliable, safe, or even effective? And all these questions and difficulties are magnified for female Boomers, who outnumber their male counterparts and also have to compete with younger women.

Yet many Boomers, including women, have gone out there and had the fun and excitement of their teenage years all over again (and with the wisdom of the years, it’s even better!). A 54 year-old artist recently e-mailed me about her new Boomer boyfriend:

Joe adores me. He tells me I am a treasure, a rare beauty. I make him feel alive after so many years of being dead. Joe loves my voice, my thoughts, my work. He bought riding boots and we went riding together. His 95-year-old mom in Miami wants to see my photo.

Many Boomers have created love in their lives — the kind of deeply fulfilling love that offers true friendship along with the chemistry of lovers. Love, of course, is good for us. Research shows that married people are healthier both emotionally and physically. And having sex is good for us, too. Research shows that an active sex life may lead to a longer life, a better immune system, greater heart health, improved mood, even the ability to prevent certain cancers and ward off pain. Intercourse typically burns around 200 calories, which is equivalent to running on the treadmill for 30 minutes! And both activities release endorphins, which elevate mood and lower pain levels.

Once you take the dating plunge, you may be very pleasantly surprised at the possibilities, especially in online dating. This goes for female Boomers too. They often report that once they start, they feel more confident, more clear about what they want and therefore, more attractive! Female Boomers are more empowered and more affluent than ever before. The good news is that often, younger women cannot compete with them for a male Boomer’s attention. The thirty-somethings are too active and demanding in terms of nightlife and other activities, whereas a Boomer man may prefer the seasoned wise companionship of a woman who has been there and done that. In other words, both male and female Boomers are in a position to pick and choose who they want to date.

And there is plenty to pick and choose from. A recent survey showed that 70 percent of single baby Boomers actively date. And 45 percent of men and 38 percent of women between the ages of 40 and 59 have sex once a week. Boomers have taken to online dating in increasing numbers.

Lavalife.com, a dating site known for its younger clientele, reported a 39 percent increase in Boomer use from 2003-2006 and Match.com indicates that the 50+ singles are its fastest-growing segment.

Here’s what Shirley, a 50-year-old divorcee is experiencing:

I just met another amazing guy. This one actually was suggested by Match. I winked. He e-mailed. I e-mailed back. He called me and we had a fabulous conversation. He was so easy to talk to. He seemed honest and sincere. I asked some pretty blunt questions that he happily answered in good detail. And he’s tall! He created a business and sold it in 2006 because he had plenty of money and wanted to do something else. On the other hand, Bill, the writer, is coming out this afternoon. We are going to the beach. Bill says that he has written a poem for me…

So, what are you waiting for? Join the party!

The formula for successful Boomer dating

Tip 1: Bring out your charisma. Find activities that you truly adore and that create happiness and joy in your life. Ideally, pick activities that will transform both the inner and outer you. Take a personal growth course; learn to meditate; or start a spiritual practice.

Tip 2: Take care of you. For the outer (and inner) you, start a regular exercise program. It is definitely the fountain of youth. Give yourself a makeover so that you look great in your own eyes. Get that trendy haircut, go shopping and try out those clothes that your friend wears that give him/her a sexy, attractive or powerful look.

Tip 3: Don’t be shy to advertise. Then put out the word in your network that you are ready to date. Seventy-two percent of relationships come from a person’s network of friends, co-workers, and family. At first, don’t be picky — simply tell folks you are looking for a wonderful person.

Tip 4: Go where the singles go. Go where the opposite sex (or same sex, if you prefer) is. If you like what you see, smile, make eye contact, give a sincere compliment or ask for some help. Sign up for on-going classes/activities that interest you and that have potential dates in them. For example, courses on finance, investing, sports and leadership; snowboarding/skiing; hiking; and cigar tasting usually have a lot of men in them. If you’re a Boomer male, women are attracted to growth, craft, cooking, or spiritual courses. If you’re not sure, ask the enroller about the ratio of men to women. There are many other fun activities, classes, and clubs so Google any class/topic plus “your city” and “classes.”

Tip 5: Definitely do not miss out on online dating. Using the Internet is essential because it gives you a sense of the wide variety of singles that are out there right now. Sixteen million singles are dating online in the U.S. according to the latest independent research. You can partake of this smorgasbord of possibilities right there at your computer. Spend the time and work two sites. In addition to Match.com and Lavalife.com, Boomers can use sites like eHarmony or PerfectMatch.com (63 percent are 35 to 60) and PrimeSingles.net, a 50+ site whose membership grew 39 percent in 2005. Then there are more specialized sites like BigChurch.com for Christians, Jdate.com if you’re Jewish, or OurPersonals.com if you’re looking for same-sex romance.

Tip 6: Put some time into it. Most people spend more time planning a vacation than they do planning their dating lives. And they get great vacations and little-to-no love life! So if you want to date, get out your calendar and set aside 8 to 10 hours per week to spend on going to courses. Then work your online dating program so that you are actually going out on dates.

You have the basic tools for successful Boomer dating. You can learn the latest research on boomer dating and on creating love that is just right for you in my new book, Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love.

So remember, face down your fears and insecurities and get in the game. As the poet Kahlil Gibran wrote:

When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe in him…

Psychologist, Dr. Diana Kirschner, appeared on Oprah and is a frequent guest on the Today Show. For 25+ years she has helped thousands of single women find love. Her acclaimed new book is Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love. For her etips, blog, dating articles, daily affirmations & discussion forum visit http://www.lovein90days.com

As social beings, our desire for connection is a deep and powerful force within us. Babies who do not experience connection with a caregiver do not thrive or may even die. Deep connection with another is one of the greatest joys in life.

Yet for many people, this deep and joyous connection eludes them. Try as they might, they cannot seem to find the connected experience that they so deeply desire.

There is a very good reason for this.

Many of us were brought up to distrust our own feelings and experiences. I was consistently programmed to disconnect from and discount my inner feelings, experiences, and inner knowing. Instead, I was taught to trust an external source – my parents – to define what was right or wrong for me, good or bad for me. The more I learned to disconnect from my feelings and my inner knowing, the more I disconnected from my authentic Self and sought connection from outside myself.

I tried to connect with my husband through being whatever I thought he wanted me to be, and he tried to connect with me by trying to have control over getting me to be what he wanted me to be. We were a perfect pair! No wonder our deep connection with each other rarely lasted for more than a few minutes at a time!

The problem is that can cannot authentically connect with another unless we are connected with our authentic selves. If we are not defining ourselves from within, then we consistently attempt to define ourselves eternally, by doing whatever we can to have control over getting love, approval, attention, sex, agreement, and so on. We confuse true connection with the momentary good feeling that comes from getting what we want from another. We think that relating to another from the wounded ego part of ourselves and getting what we want to feel externally validated is connection. It is not.

Connection with another is a mutual experience of sharing our authentic selves with each other and each receiving caring, understanding, and support – the mutual feeling of being received and cherished for who we each really are. It is truly one of the highest experiences in life. But this wonderful experience is not possible unless we are both able to share as our authentic selves. It is only when we are deeply connected with our own feelings, our own thoughts, and our own inner knowing/spiritual guidance that we can authentically share ourselves.

Sharing our wounded ego selves is sharing who we have created ourselves to be to have control over getting love and avoiding pain. There is no reality, no truth, no authenticity to our ego wounded self. Authentic connection is not possible from an inauthentic part of ourselves. No matter how much you may want the joy of authentic connection with your partner or others, it cannot occur until you authentically connect with yourself.

The practice of Inner Bonding is a powerful way of healing the ego wounded self and discovering your authentic self. These transformational 6 Steps start with practicing noticing your feelings with compassion rather than with judgment. As you learn to embrace your feelings rather than avoid them, you can choose to take responsibility for causing them or for nurturing them. You can move into a deep intent to learn about what self-judgments and erroneous beliefs may be causing your painful feelings of anger, hurt, frustration, guilt, shame, anxiety or depression. You can learn how to open to learning with the highest part of yourself – your Higher Self – who is filled with love and wisdom. You can learn from your Higher Self to define yourself rather than to look to others to define you. You can learn to take loving action in your own behalf. And, finally, you can learn to share your authentic love, caring and understanding with your loved ones.

If you want a deep and joyous connection with your loved ones, then first learn to create that deep and joyous connection with your Self.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” and ?Healing Your Aloneness.? She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding? healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or email her at margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

You’ve had your eye on her for weeks. She’s cute, smart, funny and loves animals. She’s friendly and nice to everyone. You’ve talked over the water cooler about The Daily Show and the Colbert Report. You’ve been wondering if it’s time to take it to the next level.

Knowing that she broke up with a long-term boyfriend about 6 months ago, you don’t want to come on too strong. Gathering your courage, you suggest going out for pizza on Saturday afternoon. You’re happy when she accepts, and aggress to meet you at the local pizza parlor.

You yourself are no stranger to break-ups; you’ve had a nasty break-up in your not too distant past, as well. Not wanting to scare her off or psych yourself out, you are happy with your choice of location and hope that she is too. Besides, if everything goes well, the pizza joint will be a good spot to look back on as “the first date” place.

One thing you really like about this restaurant is its casual atmosphere. An eclectic mix of music plays over the sound system — sometimes it’s U2 and acoustic Beatles, other times it’s Kid Rock or even the Dixie Chicks. You never can tell.

They showcase local artists there, as well. Since you’ve been thinking about buying some, it will give you something to talk about should the conversation drag. And what’s more, they have plenty of customers. Young couples, retirees, gays, college students, skaters, and young professionals all love this place, so the people watching is good.

While waiting for your pie, you can sip a beer or a glass of wine and challenge your date to a relaxing game of air hockey. You can tell a lot about a person in the way they approach pool or air hockey tables. Will she hang back and let you make the first move? Will she be aggressive and competitive while still having fun?

It may sound crazy, but a good game of air hockey can really give you insight into a person’s makeup. You’ll learn fast that if she’s fiercely competitive, she may also insist on being right all the time. That may not be what you’re looking for.

If she’s timid and shy, she may be that way in other aspects of her life, and afraid to take chances. Unless you’re looking to mentor her, a tendency to downplay her playing abilities may indicate she’s in the market for someone who’s more of a father figure than a partner.

However, if she plays, laughs and has fun, she’s probably going to be the right girl for you. If she’s able to poke fun at her own mistakes, and doesn’t pout if you happen to win, you’ve chosen a girl who will at least be fun in the short term. Where you take it from here is completely up to you.

But, if you truly have a fun relaxing time that leads to a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even more dates, you can say that it all came about from a good pizza and some friendly air hockey.

To Find more about ping pong tables and dart boards. Website provides info about pool table and pool table lights.

There are many Asian dating sites that offer a free service for online singles. Asian women date singles online is common these days because of this electronic world. There are many free date services create many relationships and marriages a year. It has been said that these Asian dating websites are popular to the internet singles who seek love and romance on net. Getting acquainted with someone from a long distance for love that last a long time is easy and simple. This internet world connects all singles online together. Seeking an Asian date is just a few clicks from your computer. Online dating sites have been emerged on the internet in recent years and attract thousands of singles locally and worldwide.

Asian women date men online is just too easy. Women in Asia register their profiles to search for men at these free singles services, so do men. Asian dating sites do not cater to the singles in Asia countries but America as well. However, most of Asian singles from these dating services are Asians or men who are interested in Asia girls. Asian American singles seek online dates through these online date services. Free singles services are getting more and more popular in the last few years. Your computer is a tool in searching for your Asian dater. Just a few clicks, you will see thousands of beautiful singles online at Asian dating websites. You can browse for the singles in your specific area. Seeking your dream mate at these Asian dating web sites and start a virtual dating.

If you want to get an Asian date from an free dating site, you need to search for at least few singles and contact them all. Using polite statements in your messages to send to others works out very well. Do not use any sexual or erotic word in your messages, or you do not receive any reply. You can start chatting with women who reply your messages. There are free Asian dating services and paid services. For the starters, it is recommended to join free date sites. These free dating sites do not charge members any fee. That’s right. Asian free dating sites provide free two-way matchmaking service. So, you can meet your online dater without paying any fee. Online love is so wonderful, isn’t it?

Many single Asian women seeking men from these dating sites. You need to select the best dating services to join. Free dating sites are the best choice for beginners. So, you know for sure that they need a love. Asian women are faithful to their partners, cute, and beautiful. They usually hide their feelings on the first time they meet their partners. An Asian woman will stay with you forever when you wins her heart.

Getting Asian women who are seeking for love and marriage is just a few clicks from your mouse. Take action now. Join these free Asian dating services to find that special soul mate of your dream.

Are you Asian singles seeking an Asian dater online? Visit 100% free Asian girls service with many Asian women and many Philippine women dating waiting online

Even if you’re deeply in love with your partner, there will be times when it feels like you are miles apart. This is natural, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. To help you maintain a healthy and peaceful relationship, you can use Feng Shui. As with any relationship, energy shifts are par for the course. But that doesn’t mean you simply need to endure them in order to regain your relationship mojo. Why not try to keep the peace all the time?

When the Waters are Rough

Things happen in every relationship that make us upset at the other person. But in order to restore the happiness we crave, we need to realize that changes are necessary. As a couple, you can use these Feng Shui techniques to begin to smooth out the rough patches.

Start by looking at the relationship corner of every room in your home or apartment – this is the further right hand corner from the doorway. If things are messy and cluttered, it might be time for some cleaning. Any chaos in these areas is going to hinder the proper energy flow of your relationship. Take some time every day to ensure these areas are clear and clean. You will also want to look in this area to see if you have any singular images or items present. These can often stimulate the energy of singular-ness, which is the opposite of what you want in your relationship.

Together, you might also want to buy a plant that you can nurture together, just as you want to nurture your relationship. By taking care of the plant on a daily basis, you can boost the energy that cultivates your own relationship to each other. Take turns watering the plant and caring for it – but also take time to nurture the plant together.

Open up the windows of your bedroom as often as you can to let in healthy new energy. The breeze will help you move out any stagnant energy, while also infusing your space with peace. This is also a good time to look around for anything that might be broken in your home. Broken items attract negative and broken energy – not what you want when your relationship is suffering. Get rid of these items or fix them.

In addition, you will want to remove anything from your home that might remind you of bad times in your relationship. These items are only attracting negative energy back into your relationship – who needs that?

Long Term Happiness is Simple

Yes, you can live happily ever after. But you still need to do some work in order to guarantee it. First of all, you want to nurture steady energy in your relationship – never too high or too low. You can begin to enhance this steadiness by adding neutral colors to your bedroom. This doesn’t mean you can’t have any bright colors, but you should try to balance that color scheme overall. In addition, if your bedroom is too feminine or too masculine, you will want to balance this out as well. You want your bedroom to be as neutral as possible, balancing out the energies of your relationship.

Try buying new bed sheets to help improve the energy of your relationship from this point forward. Choosing the bed sheets together will help you feel rejuvenated and renewed. And start collecting pictures of your good times together as these will help you whenever the times get tough again. Keep your bedroom door open too, as much as possible, to let in new energy and keep your romance alive.

No matter what the state of your relationship is, Feng Shui can help keep your love feeling like as good as it did when you first found it.

Candace Czarny, ASID, CFM, LEED AP, “Award Winning” Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & Author of 20 Minute Feng Shui is continually ranked “Top 10″ in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!